Croatia Island Express: 6 Days — Split, Hvar, Korčula & Dubrovnik Premium Small Ship

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Split — Diocletian’s Living Palace

Board your premium cruiser in Split. Afternoon: guided walking tour of Diocletian’s Palace (UNESCO) — the Peristyle, the Vestibule, the Cathedral of St. Domnius (originally Diocletian’s mausoleum — ironic for a man who persecuted Christians). The palace is not a ruin but a living neighborhood: laundry hangs from Roman-era windows, children play in ancient courtyards, and coffee shops occupy 1,700-year-old vaults. Welcome dinner on board. Overnight in Split port.

Day 2: Split — Zlatni Rat & Hvar

Morning cruise to Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn) on Brač Island — one of the most photographed beaches in the Mediterranean. This unique sand-and-pebble spit extends 500m into the sea and changes shape with the currents and wind. Swim stop with views of the beach’s distinctive V-shape. Continue to Hvar. Afternoon: guided tour of Hvar Town (the Renaissance cathedral, the Arsenal with Europe’s oldest public theater, the Franciscan monastery with its Last Supper painting). Climb to Fortica for sunset — the view from the 16th-century Venetian fortress is the definitive Dalmatian panorama. Evening: Hvar’s waterfront — choose between a sophisticated wine bar (local Plavac Mali, Grk, or Pošip) or a seafood restaurant serving the day’s catch. Overnight in Hvar port.

Day 3: Hvar — Biševo Blue Cave & Vis

Excursion to the Blue Cave on Biševo Island (optional, approximately $65). Accessible only by small boat through a narrow sea-level opening, the cave’s interior is illuminated by sunlight refracting through the water — creating an ethereal silver-blue glow that seems otherworldly. The phenomenon occurs only in specific light conditions (mid-morning, calm sea), making it a privilege to witness. Continue to Vis Island — the furthest inhabited island from the Croatian mainland. Vis was a closed Yugoslav military base until 1989, preserving it from mass tourism. The result: unspoiled beaches, family-run konobas, and the authentic Dalmatian island life that’s harder to find on Hvar or Korčula. Swim at Stiniva Cove — a stunning pebble beach enclosed by vertical cliffs, voted Europe’s Best Beach in 2016. Lunch at a konoba on Vis: peka (meat or octopus slow-cooked under a metal bell covered in embers — 3+ hours of cooking, the most traditional Dalmatian dish). Return to Hvar. Overnight in Hvar port.

Day 4: Hvar to Korčula — Marco Polo’s Island

Morning swim stop en route to Korčula. Arrive by afternoon. Guided tour of Korčula Town: the fishbone street layout, St. Mark’s Cathedral, Marco Polo’s alleged birthplace, and the city walls. The town was a key Venetian shipbuilding center — the wood for Venice’s fleet came from Korčula’s forests, and the town’s architecture reflects its Venetian heritage. Evening: Moreška sword dance performance (summer months) — a hypnotic traditional dance-drama with real swords, accompanied by a brass band. Dinner at a konoba: try žrnovski makaruni (hand-rolled pasta from the village of Žrnovo) and Korčulan desserts like rožata (a caramel flan similar to crème brûlée, brought by the Venetians). Overnight in Korčula port.

Day 5: Korčula to Dubrovnik — Pearl of the Adriatic

Morning cruise to Dubrovnik, with a swim stop along the southern Dalmatian coast. Arrive Dubrovnik by early afternoon. Immediately: walk the city walls — the 2km circuit is the essential Dubrovnik experience. The walls (up to 25m high, 6m thick) were never breached by a hostile army — the Republic of Ragusa survived for 450 years (1358-1808) through diplomacy, intelligence (they had one of Europe’s earliest diplomatic networks, with consulates in over 50 cities), and these walls. The view from the sea-facing side — the Adriatic stretching to the horizon, Fort Lovrijenac below, and the Old Town’s terracotta roofs — is one of the great urban panoramas. Afternoon: explore the Old Town — the Stradun, the Onofrio’s Fountain (1438, still providing drinking water), the Rector’s Palace, and the Franciscan Monastery (home to Europe’s third-oldest continuously operating pharmacy). Evening: cable car to Mount Srđ for sunset — the Old Town below, the islands offshore, and the orange glow of the setting sun over the Adriatic. Farewell dinner in the Old Town. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 6: Dubrovnik Departure

Breakfast on board. Disembark and transfer to Dubrovnik Airport (Čilipi). The Dalmatian Coast, the Adriatic’s crystalline water, and the stone cities that have watched over it for two millennia — unforgettable.

Included

• 5 nights on premium motor cruiser (A/C cabin, en-suite)
• Half board (breakfast + lunch/dinner)
• Welcome dinner + captain’s dinner
• Guided tours: Split, Hvar, Korčula, Dubrovnik
• Dubrovnik city walls entry
• Daily swim stops
• English-speaking cruise director
• Port taxes & visitor fees
• Airport transfer (Dubrovnik)